ABOUT ReCON

Photo by Nic Cheung (at ReCON XII 2025)

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

ReCON is an annual graduate student ReTREAT and CONFERENCE that focuses on graduate student research and professional development. It covers topics relevant to students in all phases of their programs. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors have plenty of opportunities to connect in a relaxed and supportive environment. Whether students are new to the faculty or nearing the end of their programs, attending ReCON is an extremely valuable interdisciplinary experience that is a lot of fun!

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

Gain exposure to the diverse research conducted across the faculty.
Develop critical thinking by engaging with topics beyond your research area.
Present your work and receive constructive feedback in a supportive environment.
Connect and reconnect with students, staff, and faculty.
Build meaningful friendships and strong support networks.

Photo by Nic Cheung (at ReCON XII 2025)

ReCON XIII Theme: Moving out of the ordinary

Moving Out of The Ordinary reflects ReCon XIII’s commitment to equity, critical scholarship, and reimagining how Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation research is understood and practiced. Inspired by Dr. Jim Denison’s legacy, the conference invites scholars and students to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions, expand whose voices are heard, and embrace diverse, interdisciplinary, and innovative ways of doing, knowing, and mobilizing knowledge beyond traditional academic spaces.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Pirkko Markula.

ReCON XII 2025 Dr. Jim Dennison Memorial Keynote delivered by Dallas Ansell (Photo by Nic Cheung)

Dr. Jim Denison Memorial Keynote

At ReCON XII in 2025, the conference keynote was named the Dr. Jim Denison Memorial Keynote in honour of the late Dr. Jim Denison. Jim was a professor at the University of Alberta from 2007, where he worked alongside his wife, Dr. Pirkko Markula, until his passing in early 2024. We would like to take a moment to reflect on Jim’s legacy and the values we hope to carry forward in his honour.

Jim’s area of research focused on enhancing coach and athlete learning through sociocultural perspectives. By considering how power operates in sport, he questioned dominant coaching practices to analyze their unintended consequences on athlete development. In other words, Jim was one to do things differently, as he examined taken-for-granted assumptions about coaching to take tangible steps in developing more effective pedagogy.

Throughout his career, Jim mentored and supervised many graduate students. His passion for research was contagious and led to the creation of the one-of-a-kind MCoach program. As a mentor, Jim was an honest and thoughtful communicator who encouraged students to challenge their assumptions and consider the broader implications of their coaching practices. His influence left a lasting impression, with many former students continuing to think critically about coaching long after graduation.

Jim’s impact continues to be felt across our diverse faculty. He collaborated widely in both research and teaching, integrating perspectives from areas such as physiology and biomechanics into his coaching courses. His commitment to questioning normalized practices extends beyond coaching and remains relevant across kinesiology, sport, and recreation. Jim’s curiosity, generosity, and dedication made him an exceptional mentor and colleague.

To honour this legacy, the 2025 Dr. Jim Denison Memorial Keynote was delivered by Dr. Dallas Ansell, one of Jim’s former graduate students. Titled Cultivating Curiosity, the keynote reflected a quality that defined Jim’s research, mentorship, and enduring influence. The 2026 keynote speaker will be announced soon, continuing this tradition of celebrating the values Jim championed.

2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Dr. Tara-Leigh McHugh

Extraordinary Perspectives: Driving Positive Change in Sport

Dr. Tara-Leigh McHugh is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Gender Equity in Sport and Physical Activity in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. Her program of research is focused on understanding and enhancing the psychosocial factors that shape women’s and girls’ equitable participation in sport. Over the 25 years of her research career, Dr. McHugh has demonstrated local, national, and international leadership in advancing research, practices, and policies focused on ensuring the equitable participation of women and girls in all roles and across all levels of sport.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Earn Professional Development (PD) credits! Each year at ReCON you can work towards fulfilling your PD requirements by attending our scheduled PD session. No additional cost.

All graduate students must fulfill 8 hours of PD activities consistent with their Individual Development Plan (IDP) - see link here for more details.

ReCON XII 2025 PD Speaker Dr. Sarah Hewitt (Photo by Nic Cheung)

2026 PD Speaker:

Michael Swampy

Playing with Purpose: Using Wahkohtowin and Indigenous Games as Research

Michael Swampy is a proud member of Samson Cree Nation, located in Maskwacis, where his identity and connection to the land continue to guide his work and purpose. He spent seven years as a Physical Education teacher and Athletic Director at Maskwacis Cree High School, where he was dedicated to supporting student wellness, leadership, and confidence through movement and sport. He currently serves as the Indigenous Lead and Curriculum Coach for Physical Education and Wellness, a role he has held for the past two years, supporting educators in embedding Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing into their teaching practice. Michael holds a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Kinesiology, and a Master’s in Secondary Education, where his research focused on improving physical education for Indigenous students through Indigenous Physical Literacy Programming (IPLP). He is passionate about movement as a pathway to wellness and believes in fostering strong connections to Mother Earth, honoring our gifts, and empowering others to live in balance through culturally grounded physical education. He is honored and excited to share teachings at ReCon, demonstrating how research can be understood as relational. Grounded in relationships, responsibility, and reciprocity rather than transactional, as often framed through a Western narrative lens.

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